Ballance Agri-Nutrients launches new programme

Bay of Plenty based fertiliser company Ballance Agri-Nutrients is to launch a $32 million programme to increase the productive capacity of New Zealand's primary sector while minimising environmental impacts.

With support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Primary Growth Partnership programme the company's research programme has secured $9.75 million in funding.

The New Zealand owned farmer co-operative will match this dollar for dollar over the next seven years in addition to its normal planned investment in research and development of $12.5 million over that period.

Announcing the programme, Ballance Chief Executive Larry Bilodeau said the scale of the co-operative's investment was a measure of its confidence in the programme's potential in lifting profitable production while reducing the effects on the environment.

"Through more efficient use of agri-nutrients, farmers will be able to produce more with less.  This is a win-win for farmers, the environment and for New Zealand as a whole."

"Up to 60 per cent of New Zealand's primary production depends on the continued use of fertiliser. Fertiliser has enabled the intensification of our farm systems in New Zealand, and environmental pressure is building. By reducing reliance on traditional fertilisers and targeting the nutrient losses which have environmental impacts, we are safeguarding the pastoral sector's productive future. This is one of the most significant investments in sustainable farming research in recent years and will deliver long-term returns for New Zealand.

"By 2025 we envisage a pastoral sector operating with a lower chemical load thanks to new biological forms of pest control and we will see both yield and economic gains. Nutrient efficiency will be much higher and there will be a reduced impact on our waterways."

Ballance Agro-Sciences General Manager Willie Thomson, responsible for setting the strategic direction of the co-operative, said rising costs, growing environmental pressure at home and global consumer demand for food produced sustainably were all increasing challenges for farmers.

"New Zealand's global point of difference is our high quality, safe food. To retain this advantage, we need to reduce our environmental footprint and reassure consumers that the food we produce is both safe and sustainable. Making bold changes now will enable the sustainability of New Zealand's primary sector, both economically and environmentally."

Ballance Head of Research and Environment Warwick Catto, who will lead the programme, said it will focus on two key areas; product improvement and development and education programmes for farmers to encourage rapid adoption of new technologies.

"Our core business is providing plant nutrient products and advice. We will ensure what we provide now is even more sustainable by improving the nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency of our products. We will also be working on new biologically-based products to improve nutrient and pest management with fewer environmental effects. Finally, for farmers, seeing is believing, so our extension programme will see us working very closely with them, showing them the science, and proving the results and the cost benefits."

Mr Catto said the impacts of the programme would extend well beyond the farm gate.

"The government is increasingly trying to balance the need to grow the economy while protecting the environment and our international reputation. By solving environmental issues on-farm, we are helping to achieve all of these objectives, helping to secure New Zealand's long-term competitive position as the world's preferred supplier of premium quality, safe and sustainable food products."